Teen Hospitalized with Severe Ear Infection After Cartilage Piercing
A 15-year-old Israeli girl was hospitalized with severe ear cartilage necrosis following a conch piercing, prompting medical warnings about piercing risks.
A 15-year-old girl from the Sharon region was hospitalized at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba following a severe cartilage infection triggered by a conch piercing in her ear. According to her mother, three days after getting the piercing in the inner ear cartilage, the teenager began experiencing severe pain, significant swelling, and discoloration.
Medical Intervention and Treatment
Initially, the family returned to the piercing parlor to replace the jewelry and later removed it entirely. Despite antibiotic treatment and injections prescribed by a family physician, her condition deteriorated, prompting a visit to the emergency department at Meir Medical Center. Doctors diagnosed a severe infection and admitted her to the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) department. During her hospitalization, she received intravenous antibiotics alongside daily surgical drainage of accumulated pus, disinfection, and bandaging.
Dr. Firas Qassem, director of the ENT division at Meir Medical Center, part of the Clalit Health Services group, warned that infections in the ear cartilage can cause irreversible damage. In the teenager's case, tissue necrosis had begun to develop, requiring aggressive treatment targeting bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. He noted that similar severe cases frequently stem from cartilage piercings, which can rapidly spread, form pus pockets, and lead to permanent ear deformation.
Warning to Teens and Parents
The mother decided to share the ordeal publicly to warn other parents and teenagers about the hidden dangers of cartilage modifications. She urged young people not to ignore warning signs or delay seeking medical help if unusual pain occurs. Dr. Qassem strongly advises avoiding cartilage piercings altogether, emphasizing that individuals who choose to proceed must ensure procedures are performed by certified professionals under strict sterile conditions and seek immediate medical evaluation upon noticing any abnormal symptoms.
